Postgame Notes, Stats and Quotes 2/2/14

Posted on February 02, 2014
by Caps PR

Player
Notes

-
Alex Ovechkin scored the game-winning goal in overtime, marking the 15th
overtime goal of his career. Ovechkin now ranks tied for third in NHL history
in overtime goals, trailing only Jaromir Jagr (18) and Patrik Elias (16). The
goal marked Ovechkin’s league-leading 39th goal and 15th
power-play goal of the season.

-
Joel Ward registered three points (2g, 1a), marking his fifth multi-point
game of the season and second multi-goal game of the season (11/1: 3g). Ward
has scored a goal in three consecutive games (1/30-2/2: 4g, 1a), tying his
longest goal streak of the season (11/9-11/12: 3g). The Toronto native scored
his 17th goal of the season in the second period today, tying his career high
for most goals in a season accomplished as a member of the Nashville Predators
in 2008-09.

-
Jason Chimera recorded three points (1g, 2a), marking his fourth
multi-point game of the season (1g, 2a) and second multi-assist game of the
season (11/1: 1g, 3a). Chimera has scored a goal in two straight games
(1/31-2/2: 2g, 2a).

-
John Carlson scored his career-high 10th goal of the season in
the first period and led all skaters in ice time (28:16). Carlson has earned a
point in three consecutive games (1/30-2/2: 1g, 4a) and has registered six
points in his last five games (1/25-2/2: 2g, 4a). Tonight marked Carlson’s
fourth multi-point game of the season (1g, 1a).

-
Nicklas Backstrom tallied two assists, marking his 28th point
in his last 28 games (12/7-2/2: 5g, 23a). Backstrom has earned an assist in two
straight games (1/31-2/2: 3a) and has recorded an assist on 11 of Ovechkin’s 15
power-play goals this season.

-
Connor Carrick earned two assists today, marking his first career
multi-point game.

-
Martin Erat recorded an assist, marking his fifth assist in his last five
games (1/25-2/2: 5a).

-
Washington improved to
17-8-2 this season when scoring first and 10-2-1 when scoring two or more
power-play goals in a game.

-
Washington is 25-4-4
this season when scoring three or more goals.

-
Today marked the
second time this season Washington has scored two power-play goals in the first
period (1/9 at TB) and the fifth time this season the Capitals have scored
three or more power-play goals in a game.

-
The Capitals are 6 for
18 (33.3%) on the power play in their last four games (1/29-2/2).

-
Today’s game marked
the fifth time this season the Capitals have scored three or more goals in the
first period.

-
Washington is now 15-7-2-0
all-time and 15-6-1-0 at home on Super Bowl Sunday.

-
The Capitals outhit
the Red Wings 40-28 and won 46 of 76 power plays (61%).

Washington Capitals head coach
Adam Oates on tonight’s game and the team’s effort…

“Obviously, it was a very exciting
hockey game. One of those night’s where every shot seemed to go in. Not that
you can fault the goalie, I really think it was one of those nights. We came
out great and they never gave up; they are a really good hockey team. They
protect the puck so well and control it so well. They had a couple of shots
that had ice too.”

Washington Capitals head coach
Adam Oates on the play of defenseman Connor Carrick tonight...

“The first goal of the game, he
jump up. Wardo’s [Joel Ward] second goal he jumped up when we needed it because
we were reeling. He had poise with the puck in overtime, right at the start of
overtime. He’s still learning the game. It can be overwhelming at times. They
have some Stanley Cup Champions over there coming at him, one of the best puck
handling teams there is. I’m sure at times it’s overwhelming, but I thought
all-in-all he hung in there and did a great job.”

Washington
Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin on the battle on the ice today…

“It
was a great battle. I think both teams deserve to win, but how we start the
game, how we continue to push through when they have moments… it’s a big two
points for us.”

Washington
Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin on playing 4 games in 5.5 days…

“Every
point right now counts, and I’m pretty sure it’s a good two points. I think
next game we are going to feel better, and everything right now will have to
work for us.”

Washington
Capitals goaltender Michal Neuvirth on his play tonight…

“I was just focusing on myself. After I had a few behind me, I wasn’t
looking at the scoreboard. Playing just a game it was 0-0. Pretty happy with
the win tonight. [I’m] feeling more comfortable mentally and physically. This
win is definitely going to help my confidence, but today is today. We still
have three games at home and we have to be ready, take one game at a time.”

Washington Capitals defenseman Joel Ward on the confidence of the
Capitals tonight…

“A lot of calm nerves. It was a lot of back and forth, for sure. You have
to just believe in the process and understand that it’s going to a positive.
Keep encouraging each other, you know it’s going to be a long game. It may take
the full 60 or even overtime or a shootout. We just have to believe in that
process.”

“We showed some good resilience tonight. We found a way to come back,
scraping and clawing and getting a point. At the same time, we could’ve easily
been walking out of here with two points. I’ve got to find a way to come up
with a couple more saves for the guys.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve been a part of [a game like that]. It was
like an old-fashioned pond hockey game out there. Every once in a while those
games happen. The only thing we’ve got to take out of this is we found a way to
get a point, and our guys played well.”

Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg on the loss…

“Obviously it’s frustrating. We worked ourselves into that game.
Offensively we played really well. Some mistakes cost us a few goals, and
obviously they’re good when they get the power play.”

Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg on the recent play of
Gustav Nyquist…

“He’s
always been great. He always creates a lot of stuff. [Now] he’s putting up the
points too. It’s always fun to see him score. He does a lot of good things and
he’s got the right mindset.”